Blog posts tagged with 'platinum'

Gold and silver consolidate ahead of tariff announcement

OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Markets are eagerly awaiting the latest tariff announcement from the White House. Reciprocal tariffs have been priced in, but President Trump is thought to be considering more sweeping levies that could further escalate trade tensions.

A delay of new tariffs or a more measured announcement, potentially stemming from concessions made by U.S. trading partners, could temper market uncertainty and boost risk appetite. Risk-off sentiment prevails ahead of the announcement, scheduled for 4:00 PM EDT today.

Russia is calling up 160,000 new conscripts to its military, raising the upper age threshold from 27 to 30. The implication is that Russia is anticipating that the war in Ukraine will continue.

Finland has announced that it will join other countries neighboring Russia and pull out of the Ottawa Convention that bans anti-personnel mines, suggesting heightened worries about Russian aggression. President Alexander Stubb said Finland would also boost defense spending over the next several years from 2.4% to 3.0% of GDP.

Meanwhile, China concluded two days of war games around Taiwan that included live-fire exercises. The 'Strait Thunder' war games coincided with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's first visit to the region.

MBA Mortgage Applications fell 1.6% in the 28-Mar week, weighed by both purchases and refis. The 30-year mortgage rate ticked down to 6.70%.

ADP Employment Survey showed private payrolls rose by 155k in March, above expectations of +110k, versus a revised +84k in February (was +77k). The beat implies modest upside risk for Friday's NFP report.

Factory Orders rose 0.6% in February, above expectations of +0.4%, versus a revised +1.8% in January (was +1.7%). The ex-trans increase was 0.4%. Inventories rose 0.4%.


GOLD

OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: -$0.15 (0.0%)
5-Day Change: +$101.60 (+3.36%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $3,147.41
52-Week Range: $2,268.72 - $3,147.41
Weighted Alpha: +38.05

Gold is consolidating within Tuesday's range ahead of President Trump's latest proclamation on tariffs. Having set a new all-time high just yesterday, the bias remains to the upside.  



Ongoing uncertainty on trade is clouding the picture for growth, inflation, and, by extension, Fed policy. Investors have been leaning into that uncertainty in favor of safe-haven assets such as gold and Treasuries.

Something beyond the reciprocal tariffs already signalled by Trump, such as sweeping 20% tariffs on most goods imported into the U.S., would be viewed as another step toward an all-out trade war. Many trading partners have already indicated they would deploy retaliatory measures if warranted.

A breach of chart/Fibonacci resistance at $3,147.41/$3,149.84 would shift focus to $3,200 initially. Further out targets at $3,300 and $3,500 would also gain credence.

Yesterday's higher high and lower close constitute a simple reversal day. Additional corrective action is a possibility given the overbought condition of the market and the outside chance that the White House sets forth a more measured approach to trade.

Keep an eye on closeby supports at $3,106.06/$3,105.29 and $3,100. Sendonday supports are defined by Monday's low at $3,078.93 and Friday's low at $3,054.50. The 20-day MA at $3,012.43 now stands in front of the more important $3,003.62/$3,000.00 zone.

Brace yourselves, things could get interesting this afternoon. Regardless of the tariff news, the dominant trend remains decisively bullish. Setbacks are likely to be viewed as buying opportunities.

Silver is trading higher for the first session in four, but remains confined to Tuesday's range, awaiting this afternoon's tariff announcement. The white metal continues to be underpinned by strength in gold and copper, rising rate cut expectations, and a generally soft dollar.



The U.S. imports a significant amount of silver from Mexico and Canada. Silver is largely a byproduct of copper mining.

Levies on silver, or copper for that matter, could impact both the supply and the demand side of the equation. If record-high copper prices are sustained, one might expect more will be mined, resulting in greater silver supply. At the same time, higher silver (and copper) prices will temper demand in some segments of the market.

The technical bias for silver remains to the upside in the wake of recent five-month highs. A breach of last week's peak at $34.543 would clear the way for a challenge of the multi-decade high at $34.853 that was set in October.

Initial chart support at $33.549/$33.521 is bolstered by the 20-day moving average at $33.490. A breach of the latter would leave the low from 21-Mar at $32.767 vulnerable to a test. Below that, the 50-day MA comes in at $32.423.


Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com

Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.

Gold eases from another record high as market awaits tomorrow's tariff announcements

OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Market angst remains elevated amid worries that President Trump will announce levies that are broader than the targeted reciprocal tariffs previously threatened. Trump says Wednesday is America's "Liberation Day," but many view sweeping tariffs as a significant escalation of a developing trade war.

There is still lingering hope that U.S. trade partners will make concessions to avoid or minimize tariffs. However, headlines about planned retaliations abound.

Risk appetite has rebounded modestly as mounting growth risks lift rate cut expectations. Even though inflation risks are also rising, Fed funds futures are now pricing in just over 75 bps in easing by December.

Prospects for Fed easing and safe-haven demand for Treasuries are weighing on yields more broadly, which is capping the upside in the dollar. The dollar index is consolidating just off five-month lows set on 18-Mar at 103.20.

Manufacturing PMI for March was revised up to 50.2 from a preliminary print of 49.8, versus 52.7 in February. That leaves the indicator in expansion territory for a third straight month. Input prices rose to a 31-month high of 66.0 from 62.1 in February.

Manufacturing ISM fell to a four-month low of 49.0 in March, below expectations of 50.2, versus 50.3 in February.  Prices paid surged 7.0 points to a 33-month high of 69.4 from 62.4 in February. Employment slid -2.9 points to 44.7, the lowest since September.

JOLTS Job Openings declined 194k to 7,568k in February, below expectations of 7,630k, versus an upward revised 7,762k in January ( was 7,740k).

Construction Spending rose 0.7% in February, better than the +0.2% the market was expecting, versus a revised -0.5% in January (was -0.2%).

RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index fell 1.4% to a six-month low of 49.1 in April, below expectations of 50.1, versus 49.8 in March. "As consumer confidence declines even a little, it's not unreasonable to wonder if the source of reduced confidence can be found in Washington, D.C," said John Tamny, the editor of RealClearMarkets.


GOLD

OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$9.25 (+0.30%)
5-Day Change: +$106.85 (+3.54%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $3,3,147.41
52-Week Range: $2,248.01 - $3,147.41
Weighted Alpha: +38.41

Gold reached a record high of $3,147.41 in overseas trading to begin Q2, driven by persistent haven demand. However, the yellow metal backed off from that new high on profit taking ahead of tomorrow's expected tariff announcements.



Despite today's setback, the fundamentals remain broadly supportive for gold. In fact, it's a bit of a perfect storm.

The threat of a trade war is stoking fears of a recession and prompting a rotation out of stocks to safe havens. Rate cut expectations are on the rise and weighing on the dollar, even as concerns about inflation are ratcheting higher.

The war in Gaza is back underway, while hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine have dimmed.

An FT article notes that "investors have poured more than $19.2bn into gold-backed exchange traded funds during the first quarter." That's the biggest inflow since the pandemic.

“Uncertainty is one of the main factors that has led to a renewed interest in gold,” said Krishan Gopaul, senior analyst at the World Gold Council. If there is one thing we seem to have in spades since the beginning of the year, it's uncertainty.

If President Trump backs off from tariffs again, or U.S. trading partners make concessions, we could see a multi-session correction in gold. However, pullbacks are still likely to be viewed as buying opportunities as the aforementioned uncertainty persists.

A minor chart point mentioned is yesterday's commentary at $3,105.29 marks first support and protects the $3,100.00 level. More important supports are defined by Monday's low at $3,078.93 and Friday's low at $3,054.50. The 20-day MA now bolsters the $3,003.62/$3,000.00 zone.

Today's high at $3,147.41 was just shy of the $3,149.84 Fibonacci objective, reinforcing this level as good resistance. An eventual breach of this level would target $3,200 initially, but would lend additional credence to the scenario that suggests potential to $3,500.

Silver is trading lower for a third consecutive session as mounting trade and growth risks stoke worries about demand destruction. While the retreat in gold is seen as corrective, it does apply some additional weight to the white metal. The same can be said for copper's drop from last week's record high.



Minor chart support at $33.521 (26-Mar low) is bolstered by the 20-day moving average at $33.431 today. A breach of the latter would leave the low from 21-Mar at $32.767 vulnerable to a test. Below that, the 50-day MA comes in at $32.423.

A climb back above $34 is needed to revive confidence in the anticipated challenge of the multi-decade high at $34.853. Last week's high at $34.543 now defines a solid intervening upside barrier.


Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com

Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.

Gold on track for biggest quarterly gain in almost 40 years

OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: With new reciprocal tariffs set to take effect this week, risk-off sentiment continues to drive investors toward safe-haven assets. The S&P 500 is poised for its first losing quarter since Q3'23 and its biggest loss since Q3'22 amid heightened growth and price risks.

“We continue to believe the risk from April 2 tariffs is greater than many market participants have previously assumed,” said Goldman Sachs in a weekend note. Reports last week that President Trump had an “extremely productive call” with Canadian PM Carney,  and rumblings of EU concessions have done little to temper trade war worries.

Goldman Sachs now sees three 25-bps rate cuts this year, beginning in July. The implied Fed funds rate for year-end is 3.5925% today, with 78.25 bps in easing priced in.

The Fed will likely focus on boosting growth because of the implications for employment. The argument is that weakening growth will reduce inflationary pressures. However, there are mounting concerns about stagflation.

Optimism about a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and movement toward a peace deal has dimmed. President Trump has expressed displeasure with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

"If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia's fault - which it might not be... I am going to put secondary tariffs... on all oil coming out of Russia," said Trump.

Israel has ordered that most of the southern Gaza city of Rafah be evacuated. This suggests Israel is preparing new ground operations.

Market focus this week will be on Friday's jobs report. The market is expecting a payrolls increase of 120k and an uptick in the jobless rate to 4.2%.

Chicago PMI rose 2.1 points to a 16-month high of 47.6 in March, above expectations of 45.4, versus 45.5 in February.  It was the third straight monthly gain.

Dallas Fed Index tumbled 8 points to an eight-month low of -16.3 in March, versus -8.3 in February. The outlook uncertainty index pushed up seven points to 36.2, its highest reading since fall 2022, according to the Dallas Fed.


GOLD

OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$32.10 (+1.06%)
5-Day Change: +$110.80 (+3.68%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $3,123.98
52-Week Range: $2,231.10 - $3,123.98
Weighted Alpha: +38.19

Gold extended to the upside on the last trading day of March and Q1, reaching a new all-time high of $3,124.93. The yellow metal is up 9% this month and is poised for its best quarterly performance since 1986.



The rally continues to be driven by tariff worries, elevated inflation expectations, a soft dollar, and persistent central bank demand. Today's push above $3,100 bodes well for attainment of the $3,149.84 Fibonacci objective and lends additional credence to the longer-term target at $3,500.

Morgan Stanley strategist Amy Gower sees gold topping out at $3,300/$3,400 this year as record-high prices sap all-important jewelry demand.  However, Goldman Sachs suggested gold could reach $4,500 over the next 12 months in an "extreme tail scenario.”

While the WGC hasn't updated ETF data for last week, I suspect a ninth straight weekly inflow into gold ETFs will be confirmed.

The COT report for last week showed that net speculative long positions held steady at 257.9k contracts.

A minor intraday chart point at $3,105.29 marks first support and protects the $3,100.00 level. More important support is defined by today's Asian low at $3,078.93. The 20-day moving average is poised to climb above $3,000 this week.

Silver is trading lower for a second straight session, but is still nearly 9% higher for March and more than 17% for Q1. While the latest record highs in gold and a soft dollar are seen as supportive, mounting trade war concerns and global growth risks have weighed more recently.

 

The same worries have knocked copper off its recent record highs, providing an additional headwind for silver. Copper prices in the U.S. were up 28% YTD last week, as manufacturers loaded up on the important metal ahead of threatened tariffs. The Wall Street Journal declared, Copper Is 2025’s Hottest Commodity.

While silver scored five-month highs last week, gains stalled ahead of the key $34.853 peak from October. A breach of this level is needed to perpetuate the uptrend and shift focus to the $35.348 high from October 2012.

I suspect the trade will want to try a more serious challenge of that October peak, so downticks are considered corrective at this point. Last week's high at $34.543 is an important intervening barrier.

The COT report for last week showed net speculative long positions held steady at 62.3k contracts. 

CFTC Silver speculative net positions

Minor chart support marked by Thursday's low at $33.618 has contained the downside today. This keeps Wednesday's low at $33.521 and the more important 20-day moving average at $33.342 at bay.


Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com

Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.

Gold sets another new record, while silver eases from 5-month highs

OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Personal income jumped 0.8% in February on expectations of +0.4%. Spending came in below expectations at +0.4%.

PCE inflation was in line with expectations at +0.3% (2.5% y/y). Core PCE inflation was slightly warmer than expected at +0.4% (2.8% y/y).

These data will not materially change the Fed policy outlook. The implied Fed funds rate for December is currently 3.6925%, reflecting expectations for 68 bps in easing by year-end, with the first 25 bps cut not fully priced in until July.

That leaves markets to focus on rising trade tensions and ongoing geopolitical risks. Risk aversion remains elevated heading into the weekend, and all the major stock indexes are under pressure.

Bloomberg reports that the EU is preparing a term sheet of concessions to avoid U.S. reciprocal tariffs that are supposed to go into effect next week. If there's a bright spot on the trade front, this is it.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the final Michigan consumer confidence reading for March was revised down to a 28-month low of 57.0 from 57.9, versus 64.7 in February. Meanwhile, one-year inflation expectations were nudged up to a 32-month high of 5.0% from a preliminary print of 4.9% and 4.3% in February.

Personal Income +0.8% in February, above expectations of +0.4%, versus a revised +0.7% in January (was +0.7%).

PCE +0.4%, below expectations of +0.6%, versus a revised -0.3% in January (was -0.2%).

PCE Chain Price Index +0.3%, in line with expectations, versus +0.3% in January; 2.5% y/y, unchanged from January. Core +0.4%, above expectations of +0.3%, versus +0.3% in January; 2.8% y/y, up from 2.7% in January.

Michigan Consumer Sentiment (final) was revised down to 57.0 from 57.9, versus 64.7 in February. Inflation expectations were revised up to 5% (1-year) and 4.1% (5-year).


GOLD

OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$17.63 (+0.58%)
5-Day Change: +$50.66 (+1.68%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $3,084.78
52-Week Range: $2,231.10 - $3,084.78
Weighted Alpha: +39.79

Gold surged to another round of new record highs, spurred by persistent worries about a developing trade war, rising inflation expectations, and a soft dollar. The yellow metal is poised for its fourth consecutive higher weekly close.



The targeted $3,100 level came within striking distance, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some profit taking ahead of the weekend. Gold has gained more than 2% this week and nearly 9% from the last significant corrective low at $2,835.23 (28-Feb).

The market has become quite overbought on a short-term basis. Additionally, reports that the EU may be preparing to concede on some of its tariffs on U.S. goods may ease trade tensions somewhat.

An intraday chart point at $3,069.52/18 marks first support. Thursday's low at $3,018.51 stands in front of the more important $3,002.89/$3,000.00 level.

Today's earlier high at $3,084.78 now protects the $3,100.00 target. Above the latter, the $3,149.84 Fibonacci level remains a valid objective.

Silver set a fresh five-month high of $34.543 in early U.S. trading before turning lower on the day. The white metal is still poised for a higher weekly close, its third out of the last four.



The white metal continues to be supported by hard-charging gold, red-hot copper, and a weak dollar. While the multi-decade high set last year in silver at $34.853 appears to be safe this week, the trend remains decisively favorable, and any setback is likely to be viewed as a buying opportunity.

An eventual breach of the $34.853 peak would initially shift focus to the $35.348 high from October 2012. However, the trade would certainly start buzzing about $40 and $50 silver at that point.

While such a move is not out of the question, it would almost assuredly be a wild ride. Silver can be notoriously volatile, and if we are to see $50 silver, speculators are likely to get thrashed along the way.

Ross Norman of Metals Daily has written an interesting "rant" on silver. "[T]he commentariat are claiming silver is about to “go parabolic”, “the elites are losing control” … “massive short covering is imminent” … yet they never stop to consider the consequences of all this hyperbole," warns Norman.

When this talk kicks up, the bullion banks are always portrayed as evil market manipulators with huge short positions in the futures market that must be broken to allow silver to find its fair market price. The reality is that the banks are short the futures to hedge their physical holdings.

"[T]hey are price neutral – it's a mechanism to borrow or lend metal to companies for financing or inventory management, such as refinery work-in-process or mine production," says Norman.

Zaner Metals provides hedging services for clients in the precious metals vertical. They are invariably short the market against their physical inventory, so not surprisingly, I concur with Mr. Norman's assessment.

That being said, I do see the long-term fundamentals for silver as quite favorable. I think we do see $50 again, but it may take five years (or more?) to get there with many a wild fluctuation in the interim. Buy and hold has always been my strategy for silver.


Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com

Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.

Gold surges to record on tariff and downgrade concerns, pulling silver to 5-mo highs

OUTSIDE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS: Markets have rotated back to a more risk-averse stance after the White House announced a 25% tariff on all imported passenger vehicles, which will take effect on April 3. The new levy will apply to all cars, SUVs, minivans, cargo vans, light trucks, and key auto parts.

Automakers' shares led stocks lower, and global trade tensions ratcheted higher. Countries that export cars to the U.S. are all contemplating retaliation. “The only solution for the EU will be to raise its own tariffs on American products,” said French finance minister Eric Lombard.

Ongoing uncertainty and worries about an all-out global trade war have weighed on investor and consumer sentiment. The market optimism that emerged late last year when Donald Trump won the Presidency has all but evaporated.

Moody's has warned of a potential downgrade to America's AAA debt rating. "The potential negative credit impact of sustained high tariffs, unfunded tax cuts and significant tail risks to the economy have diminished prospects that these formidable strengths will continue to offset widening fiscal deficits and declining debt affordability," said the ratings agency.

Q4 GDP was revised up to +2.4% in the third report from 2.3% previously, while the chain price index cooled to 2.3% versus 2.4% in the second report. While the revisions were favorable, they weren't significant enough to alter Fed expectations. Prospects for a June rate cut actually dimmed slightly.

Markets will be paying close attention to tomorrow's release of February personal income and PCE data. The market is anticipating 0.3% increases in both the headline and core PCE chain price indexes, which are the Fed's favored measures of inflation.

The dollar index backed off recent three-week highs as the market digests the latest tariff news and the downgrade risk. Recent dollar gains are seen as corrective, although a breach of Monday's low at 103.84 is needed to return focus to the downtrend that has dominated since the first of the year.

Goods Trade Balance narrowed to -$147.9 bln in February, outside expectations of -$135.0 bln, versus a revised -$155.6 bln in January (was -$153.3 bln).

Q4 GDP (3rd Report) was raised to +2.4% on expectations of +2.3%, versus +2.3% previously and +3.1% in Q3.

Initial Jobless Claims fell 1k to 224k in the week ended 22-Mar, below expectations of 225k, versus 225k in the previous week. Continuing claims fell 25k to 1,856k in the 15-Mar week from 1,881k in the previous week.

Pending Home Sales Index rose 2% to 72.0 in February from 70.6 in January. The market was looking for a more modest 1.5% increase.


GOLD

OVERNIGHT CHANGE THROUGH 6:00 AM CST: +$32.10 (+1.06%)
5-Day Change: +$6.89 (+0.23%)
YTD Range: $2,607.16 - $3,056.51
52-Week Range: $2,188.17 - $3,056.51
Weighted Alpha: +37.76

Gold has reached new all-time highs, driven by the latest tariff news and heightened worries about a global trade war. Moody's warning of a potential U.S. debt downgrade has further boosted the haven appeal of the yellow metal.



The breach of last week's record high at $3,056.51 clears the way for a push to the $3,100 level. Additional credence has also been lent to the $3,149.84 Fibonacci objective and the longer-term target at $3,500.

On the heels of BofA's gold forecast upgrades mentioned in yesterday's commentary, Goldman Sachs has also boosted its outlook. Goldman now sees gold at $3,300 by year-end, a $200 increase from its previous forecast of $3,100.

Like BofA, Goldman cited stronger-than-expected central bank demand and solid inflows into gold ETFs.“Central banks — particularly in emerging markets — have increased gold purchases roughly fivefold since 2022, following the freezing of Russian reserves,” wrote Goldman analysts. “We view this as a structural shift in reserve management behavior, and we do not expect a near-term reversal.”

The significance of support centered on the $3,000 level has been reinforced by recent price action. The $3,036.08/$3,031.15 zone now provides a minor intervening barrier.

Silver is trading at five-month highs, helped by fresh record highs in gold and copper, and a softer dollar. These factors seem to be overriding the negative demand implications from auto industry tariffs.



The auto sector accounts for over 70 Moz of silver demand annually. Silver loading in cars has increased significantly in recent years, particularly as EVs have become more popular. EVs contain roughly twice as much silver as a conventional ICE vehicle.

The breach of last week's high at $34.208 bodes well for the expected retest of the more than 22-year high set in October at $34.853. Beyond that, the $35.348 high from October 2012 would be in play.

I'd like to see silver close above $34.00 today, so I'll call that first support. Secondary support is marked by the low from early U.S. trading at $33.779.


Peter A. Grant
Vice President, Senior Metals Strategist
Zaner Metals LLC
312-549-9986 Direct/Text
[email protected]
www.zanermetals.com

Non-Reliance and Risk Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as trade recommendations, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any precious metals product. The material presented is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, and/or up-to-date, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are current as of the time of posting and only represent the views of the author and not those of Zaner Metals LLC unless otherwise expressly noted.

Good morning. The precious metals are mostly higher in early U.S. trading.

U.S. calendar features Goods Trade Balance (-$135.0 bln expected), Q4 GDP (3rd Rpt), Initial Jobless Claims, Pending Home Sales Index.